Why We Call Our Blog the Miracle of More

The miracle is a beautiful image of Ephesians 3:20--more than I can ask or imagine. Every day is a miracle. Every moment is a miracle. Specifically for our family, the miracle of more is our family growing in ways I would never have imagined when we first committed to adoption 8 years ago. But, the greatest miracle is the change in ME!

If you have questions about adoption, our work in South Africa, or spina bifida, please email me at rbmattox@bellsouth.net

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Monday, June 3, 2013

Amazing Achievements: Part 1--Zeke

Many people remark about Zeke's perpetual smile. He is often smiling, especially in public. But, his smile grows bigger at special moments-like when his name is called to receive a ribbon.

In this mama's mind, he has had a REMARKABLE year. A year of so many firsts. I am amazed at his ability to handle new situations and do so with great strength. From the moment he took my hand in China and allowed me to lead him into the unknown. He has continued to take risks and desire to please, desire to achieve.

He received a perfect attendance ribbon for the 9 weeks, and the Character Counts ribbon. I think character counts, too.

But, I am super impressed with his academic achievement. He entered kindergarten without knowing a single letter of the alphabet, with no phonemic awareness, no awareness of a letter sound relationship. His beginnings were slow.

But...he ended with amazing success. He knows all of his letters, all of his sounds, and over 50 sight words. He is beginning to read and LOVING it! He loves spelling simple CVC words. If you see him in town, ask him. He will be delighted to spell h-a-t or p-o-t or p-i-g or c-u-p. He will beam!

It has been a joy to watch him and join him on the journey to learning. This is the fun stage when all of the sudden letters make sense. He continually looks for words on cereal boxes and signs. He hears a word spoken and tries to spell it. He know words are EVERYWHERE. And, since we hit this stage just at the end of the school year, the teacher/mom in me knows we must keep the momentum going.

Yes, we're doing some school this summer. We have more sight words to learn. We have books to read. We have sentences to write. And, I can't wait to see how much more progress he is going to make.

For now, enjoy the smile and enjoyment you see on his face at the end of the year kindergarten celebration. I love to watch children who KNOW the show is all about them.

He who had no family, now knows a family is out there just to see him.

And he loves to sing. Most often his head is thrown back and his voice is projected at the ceiling. He may very well be singing louder than any other...even if he really doesn't know all of the words.

And...to end his year with a SNAP!!! He as the alligator being teased by 5 little monkeys, "You can't catch me!"

2 comments:

Okay, here is a strange off topic thing. Tonight while I was getting ready for summer school. I was writing the kiddos names on their notebooks, and one of them is named Brandon. Suddenly I had a really strong feeling that I should pray for YOUR Brandon, and I did. The whole time I was writing names I just kept praying that God would be with him,hold him close, and protect him.